Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju says that the protest against intolerance is nothing but a political conspiracy to malign the government.

At a time when several eminent writers, intellectuals and filmmakers are returning their national awards to protest against the growing intolerance and violence across the country, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju says that the protest is nothing but a political conspiracy to malign the government.

At the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit 2015, Rijiju expressed his disapproval over the surrender of the awards and said that no one cared to react against the violent incidents that took place in the past in the country.

Taking a jibe at those who returned their national awards, Rijiju said, "We have been facing several challenges over the years. How come there was no talk of surrender of awards then? How come no one expressed their apprehensions?"

The Union minister also said that it was okay to have differences in opinions but leaning towards a political ideology may prove fatal to the nation.

"Returning of an award is not a good gesture. I don't accept this idea of returning awards since an award is an honour given to someone by the nation and not by any specific government," he said.

He further attacked the protesters for remaining silent when thousands of Kashmiri Pandits were killed in the past.

"How come no one protested when the Kashmiri Pandits were killed? There have been so many similar incidents in the past. Why did anyone not think of returning their awards then?"

Rijiju also launched a blistering attack on the FTII students who have been protesting against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of the institute. He said that the government has the right to make appointments through a formal process.

"Any government has the right to appoint directors, principals or vice chancellors through a process. Now, suddenly the entire institute wants to decide on their directors and principals. This has never happened in the past. Differences in opinions are okay but if you are leaning towards a particular political ideology, then it may be a threat to the nation," Rijiju said.

"What is happening is definitely a deep rooted conspiracy to damage the image of the country," he added.

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